Bolt system

Abstract

A bolt system for attaching workpieces together, in situations where access is denied at the distal surface of a distal workpiece.

I claim: 
     
       1. A bolt system comprising:
 a distal workpiece having a keyhole opening that includes a circular portion with a first diameter and a slotted portion with a first width, wherein the first width is smaller than the first diameter; 
 a tube having a second diameter and a proximal end and a distal end, the tube defining an internal threaded bore; 
 a rod having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a third diameter sized to pass proximally into the distal end of the bore and distally through the first diameter of the keyhole circular portion but sized too large to pass axially through the first width of the slotted portion, the rod further defining external threads configured to matingly engage with the internal threaded bore so that rotation of the rod in relation to the tube causes the rod to advance alternatively retract within the bore of the tube; 
 wherein, the rod has two segments removed from sides of the rod, thereby configuring the rod to define:
 two axial surfaces that each extend parallel with each other and with an elongate axis of the rod, the two axial surfaces being separated by a second width that is smaller than the first width whereby the two axial surfaces may slide, perpendicularly to an elongate axis of the rod, into and along the slotted portion of the keyhole opening, but wherein the third diameter of the rod is sufficiently large in relation to the first width of the slotted portion that the rod cannot be rotated within the slotted portion when the axial planes are within the slotted portion; and 
 a circular cylindrical portion of the rod located distal of the two axial surfaces, the circular cylindrical portion having the third diameter that is too large to pass axially through the first width of the slotted portion of the keyhole, whereby the rod may not be axially withdrawn from the keyhole when the axial surfaces are within the slotted portion. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The bolt system of  claim 1 , further including a proximal workpiece that defines an aperture having a fourth diameter, the fourth diameter being greater than the third diameter but smaller than the second diameter, whereby the rod is passable through both the opening and the circular portion of the keyhole, and further whereby the tube abuts against the proximal workpiece without passing through the aperture.